National Republican., 1887-01-08
Sea-COast De fenses.

men tnaJ no civilized country Is likely to
make a sudden naval attack upon any part
Of the seaboard of North America. Such
men are at the same time aware that the
unexpected always happens, and until we
have new humanity, according to Tally
rand's suggestion, great treasures, whether
in the form of rich territories or
rich cities which are absolutely defense
less, will, on occasions of serious in
ternational difficulties, always tempt
the cupidlty OF adventurous nations.
But from the point of view Of diplomatic
influence alone, leaving all probability Of
foreign invasion out OF the question, this
country must be content with such feeble
protest as appears In existing fishery dis
putes with Canada so long Us she is unable
to enforce that protest by means of pow
erful navy, and while she is further weak.
ened by the consideration of an enormous
seaboard practically without defense.
The total value of property exposed to
destruction in our twelve principal
seaports is estimated by so reliable
an authority as Mr.. Joseph MIN
mo, jr., at $5,0O0,OOO,0OO. The value OF
destructible property in New York city,
Brooklyn, and Jersey City is, according to
Lieut.. Griffin, of the United States army,
over $500, 100000. The value of property,
says Mr.. Nimmo, which might be protected
against naval power on Long Island and
In Connecticut by adequate defenses at the
east end Of Long Island sound and at the
entrance to Gardeners bay is probably not
far from $3.50, 100000. The total cost Of all
the defensive works, recommended by this
authority is estimated at about S2T 100000.
Capt Greene, Of United States engineers,
in the current number OF Scribner's new
magazine, states the same problem on q
larger scale, and devotes an elaborate aud
closely-reasoned article to methods of $50
luton. Repudlating the idea of invasion,
Capt. Greene says, "The very elements of
wealth and population which have made an
invasion impossible, have brought au In
crease Of danger in another direction. They
have built up on the shores Of the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans and the northern lakes
series Of great cities, containing an aggre-
gate population of more than five millions
of souls, and destructible property, which
is carried on the assessors books with val
uation OF $4,000, 100000 land has probably
an actual value Of nearly twice as much),
yielding annually a product in manufac-
tured goods alone valued at over one thou
sand million dollars. 90 While the
idea Of invasion and conquest may
now be dismissed as visionary, the problem
of national defense has slmplifed itself to
merely protecting life and property against
q possible enemy in our seaboard aud lake.
board cities. 1t is, in brief, problem of
national insurance ON life and property 10
provide for just those cases of danger
which are specially excepted from all ordl-
nary policies, cases which lie beyond the
grasp Of private enterprise, and not only
all within the legitimate province of gem
eral government, but are expressly pro-
vided for In the constitution, which gives
power to Congress to provide for the COM
mon defense.'
Capt. Greene then goes on to show that
the usual annual premium on policies of
insurance on life or property, with good
risks, is from l to II per cent. "One per
cent. on the $4,000, ,000, 900 of destructible
property within reach Of hostile shells Is
S40,000,000. Less than half that amount
expended annually for six years would give
us complete system of insurance-that is,
1t would give us harbor defenses stronger
than any ships which could be brought
against us.n
The foregoing is only a very general state
ment Of problem in the solution of which
statesmen like Senators Logan and Hawley
have been deeply interested, and to which
the late Mr.. Tilden, shortly before his death,
earnestly called the attention OF his coun-
trymen In letter of July 8, 1886, conclud-
ing with the following passage "The
apathy of Congress on this subject would
be Incredible if 1t did not confront us. II
contrasts with the rivalry which is so con-
spicuous to insist on our taking high tone
toward foreign nations on every occasion Of
difference between them and us. 1t con.
trasts also with the favor which is shown to
schemes of prodigality and schemes to
waste the public resources on things
known to be absolutely useless. Among
the people the desire for liberal appro-
priations toward the means Of public
defense is well nigh unanimous. am
well informed as to the popular feeling
from the circumstance that more than seven
hundred newspapers from all parts OF the
country, and representing all political par
ties, containing expressions upon the sub
iect, have been sent to me-"
An important additional stimulus to
public Interest in the question is the recent
action taken by the New York chamber of
commerce, and we may fairly hope that other
public bodies and individuals of every class
will combine to strengthen the force OF
Senator Hawley's request when he appeals
to Congress during the present session for
an appropriation to protect our coasts.